New Enugu International Hospital to tackle medical tourism, brain drain, says Mbah

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has toured the newly completed Enugu International Hospital ahead of its inauguration, saying the facility will help tackle medical tourism and brain drain while positioning the state as a major healthcare destination in Africa.

Mbah, who inspected the facility at Rangers Avenue, Independence Layout, Enugu, on Thursday, said the hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art technology and would provide advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services, reducing the need for Nigerians to seek medical treatment abroad.

Speaking with journalists after the tour, the governor said the project was part of his administration’s plan to make Enugu a medical tourism hub and attract a significant share of the multibillion-dollar global market.

“We knew that we needed to do things differently and build a world-class facility and, most importantly, attract top-notch professionals to provide services. We cannot wait to welcome the world to Enugu,” Mbah said.

He said the hospital would provide advanced oncology services and bridge gaps in specialised healthcare, noting that many Nigerians currently travel to India, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom for medical treatment. He added that the facility would also offer telemedicine and digital medical services.

Mbah disclosed that the hospital had attracted significant interest from Nigerian medical professionals in the diaspora who were willing to return home and contribute to the country’s healthcare system. He said the project was also part of his administration’s broader investment in healthcare and security to support economic growth.

The Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Prof. Sam Agwu, said the facility would operate specialised centres covering cancer care, heart and vascular services, neurosciences, and renal and transplant services, alongside wellness and regenerative medicine. Other departments include mother and child care, general surgery, ENT, dental care and ophthalmology.

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Enugu State, Dr. Sunday Nwafor, commended the project, saying it could help reverse the brain drain by providing medical professionals with an internationally competitive environment to practise and earn better. Mbah was accompanied by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, and other officials.